Tag Archives: Brak

If you are into books about political intrigue and family loyalties and betrayals with some magic thrown in then the Hythrun Chronicles series is definitely for you. This is well written and enjoyable with characters that you get to know over time and even if you feel you know them well you find something new about them. The second book in the series is called Warrior and we find that since Wolfblade some things have changed while others have stayed the same.

It is eight years since Marla Wolfblade buried her second husband. In that time, she has become the power behind Hythria′s throne. But while Marla plays her own political game, Alija – High Arrion of the Sorcerers′ Collective – plots her downfall and the destruction of the Wolfblade line.

Marla′s fortune may not be enough to protect herself and her family … especially her son, Damin, growing up far away in Krakandar. Damin′s uncle, Mahkas, has convinced himself that his only daughter is destined to marry her cousin, but his obsession leads to unexpected and tragic results.

Meanwhile, Elezaar the Fool, Marla′s greatest confidante, must face his own crisis, and his infamous Rules of Gaining and Wielding Power are of no use to him when his brother is involved …

Again thoroughly enjoyed it. From the first page you get the feeling that Damin Wolfblade’s life is in constant danger. The fact that the first attack is just a test of the young Damin’s ability to defend himself doesn’t change the sense of danger. Damin doesn’t appear to be someone who takes things seriously in the beginning but is constantly joking and fooling around. It’s not until a tragedy involving his foster brother Starros and cousin Leila that we see that there is a different side to Damin. On top of this Hythria is about to be attacked by the Fardonyhans and Damin has to prove himself there. In the meantime Marla’s trusted friend and confidante is forced to betray Marla with far reaching consequences. Loved every minute of it.

Jennifer Fallon’s book Harshini is book 3 in The Demon Child trilogy. This is where we finally get a conclusion to R’shiel’s battle with the Karien God Xapista. In typical style the journey for R’shiel isn’t without detours and other concerns. Here we find that ..

Medalon has surrendered to Karien and Tarja is once more an outlaw The Defenders are scattered and their only hope for aid is Damin Wolfblade and the vast army of Hythria.

But Damin has his own problems. The High Prince is dead and he must fight off a usurper to secure his throne and lift the siege on his capital, before he can think of aiding Medalon.

R’shiel has finally accepted her destiny, and is searching for answers. But time is running out. The Harshini king is weakening and cannot hide Sanctuary for much longer. She must defeat Xaphista soon, or the Harshini will be destroyed.

With no idea how to defeat a God, her quest takes her across Medalon to Hythria, then Fardohnya and finally back to the Citadel.

But before she can confront Xaphista, she must find a way to weaken the Overlord’s growing power, somehow bring peace to the divided southern nations, free Medalon from Karien occupation and find the strength to finally put an end to Loclon.

I found myself again hooked from the first word and could not put the book down. Found the characters interesting and the struggles of R’shiel to understand the Harshini and find a way to defeat Xaphista and search for Loclon gripping. You can’t wait to see whether she succeeds.

I enjoyed the book and the whole series. R’shiel was an interesting character and thoroughly enjoyed watching her mature from someone continually rebelling to someone who took responsibility and did something about the situation she was in. Would love to see if there are more books following R’shiel’s life after the defeat of Xaphista.

After finishing reading the David Eddings books I decided to look for an Australian fantasy author and while browsing the shelves at Galaxy Bookshop for what else there is in the ‘E’ section came across Jennifer Fallon’s Medalon. This is Book 1 in The Demon Child trilogy. I’m glad I decided to purchase the book and read it because I’ve thoroughly enjoyed the story.

Medalon’s back cover describes the story as:

The small country of Medalon lies between the vast nation of Karien in the north and the nations of Fardohnya and Hythria in the south. For centuries the Medalonians co-existed peacefully with the Harshini, a magical race that abhors killing. They are gone now and the Sisters of the Blade rule Medalon from the Citadel. An elite army of Defenders enforces the Sisterhood’s oppressive rule. The Harshini and their demons are believed to be extinct and Medalon has an uneasy peace with its northern and southern neighbours. R’shiel Tenragan, daughter of the First Sister, and her half-brother Tarja find themselves caught up in the political infighting amongst the Sisters of the Blade. When their mother’s scheming becomes too much to bear, they flee the Citadel and their lives take a turn neither could ever have imagined.

Meanwhile, far south in Hythria, Brak, a Harshini outcast, is called on to find the demon child, the half-human child of the dead Harshini King, Lorandranek.

At first I thought this was the usual book where the protagonist has an issue with an ambitious parent/unfeeling parent – something I don’t always find enjoyable but I found that the more I read the more I enjoyed the book. R’shiel is the typical young adult rebelling against parental control but you always get the feeling that there is more to the relationship.

I found R’shiel’s struggles to understand what is going on and why she is feeling the way she is believable and real. I did feel frustrated with her sometimes over her “me” attitude. “Why is this happening to me” but it was also understandable. Loved the book and made me finish reading the whole series.

I did go on to read Jennifer Fallon’s other books and have so far enjoyed all!